Sonny
Sex: Male / Age: 1,5 years (August 2026) / Size: Medium (19 kg)
🐾 Affectionate, sensitive, great cuddler
💥 Energy level: medium
🐈Can be tested with cats
🐕 Good with other dogs
👶 Can be tested with children
👽 Good with new people
❄ What makes Sonny special: Sonny is the best cuddler!
Sonny was rescued as a tiny puppy after being found on the streets all alone. His rescuers gave him a safe place to grow up in, but they were unable to find a home for him. They tried for months and months, but because of his typical street dog looks, no-one was interested in him, so his rescuers asked us for help.
Sonny moved in to the Melez enclosure in early 2026, and is now ready to find his forever home!
Sonny is a sweet, sensitive young dog who's completely focused on people. He absolutely loves cuddling. Sonny's most defining trait is his love of people. He's an absolute people magnet, always craving contact and connection. He hasn't quite learned to dial down his enthusiasm yet, and can be a bit clingy as a result.
Getting his profile photos taken was quite the challenge. While other dogs pose nicely for the camera, Sonny simply didn't see the point. Why stand still when you could be having fun instead? He treated the whole thing like a game, mostly focused on leaping into the arms of the volunteer helping out. He had the time of his life, and honestly, so did we; there's nothing quite like seeing a dog that happy and full of joy.
Sonny is sweet with absolutely everyone. He gets along well with men, women, familiar faces and strangers alike. If you've got a cuddle to offer, you've instantly got a friend for life. He loves staying close and being in contact with you, and he's always thrilled to see you. If you could use a little extra love in your life, Sonny is ready and waiting.
Beneath all that cheerfulness, though, he also has a more insecure side. He's a sensitive little dog who gets overwhelmed easily in new or busy environments, which makes life in the crowded shelter especially tough for him.
As soon as someone steps into his kennel, he jumps straight into their arms and doesn't want to let go. More than anything, he wants you to take him away from all the noise and chaos of kennel life.
Inside his kennel, he mostly keeps to himself. He's claimed a little spot of his own, on top of the dog houses, which he only leaves to eat, drink, relieve himself, or greet people. The rest of the time, he stays right there, in the place where he feels safest, tucked away from the commotion caused by the other dogs around him. From up there, he can also keep an eye on everything going on below.
Sonny happens to be in the very front kennel, and his little perch on top of the dog houses gives him the perfect view to spot people coming from far away. So he's always first to know when someone's arrived, cheerfully poking his nose through the fence, tail wagging, to greet the newcomers before anyone else gets the chance.
When things are quiet, we sometimes catch him playing with his kennel mates, full of energy and joy. But that only happens when it's genuinely calm. The moment something happens in the shelter and the other dogs start barking, he retreats straight back to his safe little spot.
New dogs still make him a bit nervous. He'll cautiously sniff the air from a distance, curious but not quite ready to make direct contact. We believe that once he has a stable, calm base where he feels truly safe, he'll gradually build more confidence around other dogs too.
The outside world is exciting for Sonny too, in its own way. He loves getting out of his kennel and having some one-on-one time with people. But just like inside the kennel, he can quickly become overstimulated by all the new sounds and smells around him, which can leave him feeling a little unsettled. When that happens, he clings tightly to people for comfort and reassurance, really leaning on them for support.
He's completely open to guidance, and to learning from people what's expected of him. He's just still finding his way, and could use a helping hand along the journey. What he really needs is a calm environment and a patient, loving adopter by his side.
Sonny is an incredibly sweet, enthusiastic and gentle dog for whom the big wide world can sometimes feel like a little too much. He's very submissive and never becomes defensive towards people, even when things get overwhelming for him. People are, and always will be, his anchor.
Sonny still has a lot to learn, but since he'd do anything for a bit of love and attention, we're confident that with patient guidance, he'll be a fast learner. He really is a dog who needs calm, routine, and above all, loving, patient support.
Just imagine how grateful he'll be the day he finally gets to leave the shelter behind and come home with you. He'll be a companion for life.
Sonny is currently in Turkey and is ready to travel to the EU or the UK.
The dogs arrive in their homes microchipped, up to date on their Rabies and mixed vaccinations, spayed/neutered, dewormed and deflead and tested for Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Leishmania and Anaplasma. The dogs visit the vets for a final health check before they travel. If needed, their teeth are cleaned and X-Rays are taken of any potential areas of concern. Any concerns or potential health issues we are aware of will be communicated with you beforehand.
